The national American Public Works Association (APWA) honored Snohomish County Public Works and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for the response and repair following the State Route 530 (SR 530) landslide with the 2015 Project of the Year award. The effort was led by the two agencies, and was recognized in the Disaster or Emergency Construction and Repair category in the $25 million to $75 million division Aug. 31.

“The SR 530 landslide and the following response, recovery, and continuing repair work remain engrained in our communities,” said Steve Thomsen, director of Snohomish County Public Works. “This is not only because of the tragedy, but for how quickly and passionately the community and outside agencies stepped up and united in this incident. This recognition by the national APWA is proof of the importance and value that cooperation between local communities, volunteers, and staff from local, state, and federal organizations can provide during events like SR 530.”

In addition to Snohomish County Public Works and WSDOT, APWA presented the award to the primary contractors and consultants that assisted in the project. This includes AECOM, Guy F. Atkinson Construction, BCI Contracting, Environmental Science Associates, Granite Construction, IMCO General Construction, Jacobs Engineering, and URS.

The award for disaster or emergency construction and repair is presented to Public Works organizations that demonstrate techniques and timing for safety, community relations, environmental protection and adverse conditions. The project was also recognized by the Washington State Chapter of APWA earlier this year in the same category.